Research

Research Interests

Grounded in intersectionality, qualitative methods, and social justice, Kristi’s research rests at the confluence of cultural studies, social medicine (and, more broadly, medical humanities), public health, and sport. She focuses on the body, viewing them on a continuum from the hyper-ability of elite athletes to the social epidemiology of illness, disease, and cancer, while maintaining particular attention on women, race, gender performances, and LGBTQ+ issues. The broader goal of her research is to highlight inequitable cultural understandings of the body and to work collaboratively with colleagues to redress them.

Pictured: Patricia Hill Collins, one of intersectionality’s leaders, and Kristi (with Serena Williams serving in the background) at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, Ohio.

“‘Are There Any Questions?’: Press Conference Participation as a Qualitative Research Method in the Sociology of Sport.” North American Society for the Sociology of Sport annual conference, Santa Fé, New Mexico, November 2015.

“The Original 9, Women’s Lob Feminism, and the Social Movement That Launched Women’s Professional Tennis.” International Sociology of Sport Association World Congress of Sociology of Sport, Paris, France, June 2015.

“Women’s Lob: The Original 9 as a Feminist Social Movement in Women’s Professional Tennis.” North American Society for Sport History annual conference, Miami, Florida, May 2015.

“The Original 9: A Feminist Social Movement Through Sports Entertainment and Fashion, 1968-1973.” Subverting Academia & Subversive Academics: An Interdisciplinary Symposium, Department of Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, March 2015.

“Rainbow Flags Over Margaret Court Arena: LGBT Politics vs. Christian Fundamentalism in Women’s Professional Tennis.” North American Society for the Sociology of Sport annual conference, Portland, Oregon, November 2014.

“Serena Williams: Gender, Race and (the Perception of) Violence in Women’s Professional Tennis.” North American Society for the Sociology of Sport annual conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, November 2012.

“Out on the Court: Gender Performance, Sexuality and Women’s Professional Tennis.” North American Society for the Sociology of Sport annual conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 2011.

“The Philosopher on the Court: Judith Butler, Gender Performance, and Women’s Professional Tennis.” International Association for the Philosophy of Sport annual conference, Rochester, New York, September 2011.

“Science Among ‘Squaws’ and ‘Savages’: The Representation of American Indians in Scientific American, circa 1845-1900.” (Sections on Science and Religion), American Academy of Religion – Regional Conference, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 1999.

“Science Among ‘Squaws’ and ‘Savages’: The Representation of American Indians in Scientific American, circa 1845-1900.” (Sections on Gender and Science), The New Mexico Statewide Women’s Studies Conference, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, March 1998.

“Science Among ‘Squaws’ and ‘Savages’: The Representation of American Indians in Scientific American, circa 1845-1900.” (Sections on Gender and Science), Talking Across Disciplines: A Feminist Symposium, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, March 1998.

Posters Presented

“Cultural Obstacles for Sexual and Gender Minorities Accessing Preventive Breast Cancer Screenings – Emerging Themes.” 12thAmerican Association for Cancer Research Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved, San Francisco, California, September 2019.